We couldn't have visited Australia without making a stop to see the Great Barrier Reef in Northern Queensland. It's on every "List of Places to Go Before You Die,' 'Top Places to Take Your Kids Before They head off to college' and any number of other travel rankings. We asked everyone we knew in Australia, from Australia or had been to Australia where was the best place to experience the reef. The answers were varied but everything seemed to lead back to Cairns. The hub of all snorkeling, diving and surfing - and a great little sea-side town to boot. (There is also a direct flight to Osaka from Cairns that also helped to make our decision a bit easier as Japan is our next stop).
Now, if any one had heard of the classic Kamp Family Forced Family Fun (FFF) Adventure on a deep-sea fishing boat in the Atlantic Ocean they may be aware that I do not fair well at sea. If you have ever been sailing in the ocean for a Full-Day Trip of any kind with mostly tourists that have not prepared themselves with motion-sickness medicine because 'they don't get sick' then you can imagine what my memories are like. Mind you the trip we took as children was supposed to be a half-day. A certain someone took liberties with his children's schedules and booked the full-day without telling them. #stillbitter
This time I was prepared. A quick stop at the chemist shop and little motivational self-talk and I did fine. Not great, but fine. I was even able to join the rest of the family on the front of the boat to watch the waves and catch some scenery. To my relief all of the kids did great too. Which means there might be a future of scuba diving in the Wychocki family after all.
-Suzanne
Before I start, here's a tip. If you ever do the snorkel safari at Magic Reef Cruises, wear a suit. Jellyfish stings hurt.
But other wise, do Magic Reef Cruises to see the GBR. They rock.
When we got on the boat, everything was fine. Later, the water was colored puke green. The boat stopped at a floating pontoon boat/ platform thing were you could go snorkeling and scuba-diving but if you don't want to get wet but want to see the reef, they have semi submarines and glass bottom boats were you can see the coral. But the best part of Magic Reef is the big fish named Wally. He's very friendly and will swim up to you when your snorkeling or scuba-diving and you can pet him. Long story short, Wally is Awesome!!!
When I went snorkeling, it was like swimming over a giant rainbow. There were red fish, and blue fish, and one fish and two fish. The coral is beautiful. There were one ore two HUMONGOUS corals that must of been a billion years old because they only grown a centimeter a year. They look like giant brains. Speaking of giant,
when lunch was over the workers fed the leftovers to the fish and a giant group of fish, including Wally, came and swam on the platform were you sit when you get on your flippers.
- Maddy
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the coolest things I have ever been to. So many fish, so much coral, and scuba diving! Scuba diving is really fun. It does feel weird breathing out of your mouth for 20 minutes, but it’s worth it! (and I found Nemo!)
In all of the reef there are only a few Humphead Maori Wrasses, and the most famous one is named Wally. Wally is a very friendly fish you can touch and swim with him. Wally loves to be around people and is very happy when the tourists are there. Maddy, Dad, and me have some pictures with him. He even photo-bombed Dad!
The one thing I hate about the reef is the jellyfish. The jellyfish in the reef look like clumps of debris, but are really mean. I had one sting that hurt for at least 45 minutes. I wish I had worn a wetsuit.
But overall, the reef was amazing. If only I had a Mertail…
-Izzy
I only have a few "must see" travel places on my bucket list and The Great Barrier Reef is one of them. Others include India (remember how that turned out), Germany, and the Netherlands. And of course Japan and Scotland, but I have been to those already - but we are going back again, yeah! I just didn't think we could swing Australia on this trip, but when we shorted SE Asia, we were able to make it for a couple of weeks. And the GBR is FANTASTIC!
I can't add anymore than what the girls said above, except for a little more on that Wrasses fish named Wally. He is on the boat company's website, their brochures and their posters all around town. I thought to myself, what a lucky couple of photographs to get that fish up so close. I'll bet it is rare to get that close to such a big fish. But was I wrong!
When I jokingly asked "What is our chance to see a fish like that?", they smiled and laughed and said - about 98%. Then added, "You won't only see a fish like that, you will see that exact fish, and his name is Wally".
Sure enough, as soon as we got in the water, there was Wally waiting for the tourist like an eager puppy. 364 days-a-year, he swims amongst the snorkelers and divers and get hugs, pets and treats. It was just so amazing to me - who knew a fish wanted touchy-feely human interaction so much? He did not disappoint and I think every single one of the 150 people on our boat got to play with him; what a treat.
Oh, and yes, Izzy and I dove together and we all look forward to getting our certification - maybe in Paw Paw Lake?!?
The Great Barrier Reef is amazing. If you are ever near Queensland Australia, do not pass up the opportunity!
- Mike
Now, if any one had heard of the classic Kamp Family Forced Family Fun (FFF) Adventure on a deep-sea fishing boat in the Atlantic Ocean they may be aware that I do not fair well at sea. If you have ever been sailing in the ocean for a Full-Day Trip of any kind with mostly tourists that have not prepared themselves with motion-sickness medicine because 'they don't get sick' then you can imagine what my memories are like. Mind you the trip we took as children was supposed to be a half-day. A certain someone took liberties with his children's schedules and booked the full-day without telling them. #stillbitter
This time I was prepared. A quick stop at the chemist shop and little motivational self-talk and I did fine. Not great, but fine. I was even able to join the rest of the family on the front of the boat to watch the waves and catch some scenery. To my relief all of the kids did great too. Which means there might be a future of scuba diving in the Wychocki family after all.
-Suzanne
Before I start, here's a tip. If you ever do the snorkel safari at Magic Reef Cruises, wear a suit. Jellyfish stings hurt.
But other wise, do Magic Reef Cruises to see the GBR. They rock.
When we got on the boat, everything was fine. Later, the water was colored puke green. The boat stopped at a floating pontoon boat/ platform thing were you could go snorkeling and scuba-diving but if you don't want to get wet but want to see the reef, they have semi submarines and glass bottom boats were you can see the coral. But the best part of Magic Reef is the big fish named Wally. He's very friendly and will swim up to you when your snorkeling or scuba-diving and you can pet him. Long story short, Wally is Awesome!!!
When I went snorkeling, it was like swimming over a giant rainbow. There were red fish, and blue fish, and one fish and two fish. The coral is beautiful. There were one ore two HUMONGOUS corals that must of been a billion years old because they only grown a centimeter a year. They look like giant brains. Speaking of giant,
when lunch was over the workers fed the leftovers to the fish and a giant group of fish, including Wally, came and swam on the platform were you sit when you get on your flippers.
- Maddy
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the coolest things I have ever been to. So many fish, so much coral, and scuba diving! Scuba diving is really fun. It does feel weird breathing out of your mouth for 20 minutes, but it’s worth it! (and I found Nemo!)
In all of the reef there are only a few Humphead Maori Wrasses, and the most famous one is named Wally. Wally is a very friendly fish you can touch and swim with him. Wally loves to be around people and is very happy when the tourists are there. Maddy, Dad, and me have some pictures with him. He even photo-bombed Dad!
The one thing I hate about the reef is the jellyfish. The jellyfish in the reef look like clumps of debris, but are really mean. I had one sting that hurt for at least 45 minutes. I wish I had worn a wetsuit.
But overall, the reef was amazing. If only I had a Mertail…
-Izzy
I only have a few "must see" travel places on my bucket list and The Great Barrier Reef is one of them. Others include India (remember how that turned out), Germany, and the Netherlands. And of course Japan and Scotland, but I have been to those already - but we are going back again, yeah! I just didn't think we could swing Australia on this trip, but when we shorted SE Asia, we were able to make it for a couple of weeks. And the GBR is FANTASTIC!
I can't add anymore than what the girls said above, except for a little more on that Wrasses fish named Wally. He is on the boat company's website, their brochures and their posters all around town. I thought to myself, what a lucky couple of photographs to get that fish up so close. I'll bet it is rare to get that close to such a big fish. But was I wrong!
When I jokingly asked "What is our chance to see a fish like that?", they smiled and laughed and said - about 98%. Then added, "You won't only see a fish like that, you will see that exact fish, and his name is Wally".
Sure enough, as soon as we got in the water, there was Wally waiting for the tourist like an eager puppy. 364 days-a-year, he swims amongst the snorkelers and divers and get hugs, pets and treats. It was just so amazing to me - who knew a fish wanted touchy-feely human interaction so much? He did not disappoint and I think every single one of the 150 people on our boat got to play with him; what a treat.
Oh, and yes, Izzy and I dove together and we all look forward to getting our certification - maybe in Paw Paw Lake?!?
The Great Barrier Reef is amazing. If you are ever near Queensland Australia, do not pass up the opportunity!
- Mike
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